roster over the past year." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesAcme Packing Company homepageHorizontal - WhiteAcme Packing Companya Green Bay Packers communityFollow Acme Packing Company online:Follow Acme Packing Company on TwitterFollow Acme Packing Company on FacebookFollow Acme Packing Company on InstagramLog in or sign upLog InSign UpSite searchSearchSearchAcme Packing Company main menuFanpostsFanshotsSectionsPackersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 321 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Brian Gutekunst has stayed true to his word in exploring talent in his short time as Packers’ GMTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailPhoto by Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesWhen Brian Gutekunst was named General Manager of the Green Bay Packers in January 2018 Justin McCray Color Rush Jersey , he was quoted as saying that the organization would not leave any “stone unturned as far as every avenue of player acquisition.” In almost a year and a half as a leader of the front office, Gutekunst has stayed true to his word.Just this week, writers noted distinct differences between Gutekunst and his predecessor Ted Thompson in terms of their strategies of acquiring talent. Not only have the Packers added high-caliber special teams players in the hopes of also uncovering the talents that made them drafted as position players, they have also more thoroughly explored the waiver claim market. While Green Bay continues to largely employ a draft-and-develop strategy for building its roster, it has not been the only method of acquiring talent under the new regime.DraftGutekunst’s first draft as GM in 2018 resulted in a promising group of young players. While the development of second-day selections Josh Jackson and Oren Burks will be a key to the long-term assessment of the class, early contributions from Jaire Alexander, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown are more favorable than some of the Packers’ recent drafts.Outside of Thompson’s trade back into the first round to pick Clay Matthews in 2009, the Packers have rarely showed as much early-round aggression in draft-day trades as they have the last two years under Gutekunst. Last year, the Packers traded back from pick 14 in the first round with the New Orleans Saints to gain an extra first round choice in 2019. They then used a third-rounder to trade back up to get the man they wanted in Alexander. Even this April, Green Bay took no chances of losing Darnell Savage, trading up nine picks to scoop up the safety. While it is too early in Gutekunst’s tenure to judge his drafting skill, he has at least been aggressive via that route.Undrafted Free AgentsAny disciple of Thompson can be expected to value the undrafted free agent pool and Gutekunst has been no different, keeping several such players that were signed last offseason. The Packers retained Tim Boyle, Alex Light, Raven Greene, and James Crawford on the initial 53-man roster, while eventually activating Tyler Lancaster during the season. While not an original Green Bay undrafted signing, rookie cornerback Tony Brown was signed in late September and showed the potential to be a valuable piece moving forward.Green Bay has found many undrafted gems in the past decade and Gutekunst appears to be just as committed as Thompson was in giving those players a legitimate chance at roster spots.TradesWhile trades are less frequent in the NFL than other major professional sports leagues, the Packers made their fair share of end-of-preseason trades when determining the final 53-man roster under Thompson. Gutekunst also made a late-August deal when he shipped Brett Hundley to Seattle, but he was also active at uncommon times. Gutekunst’s first major move as GM was sending Damarious Randall to Cleveland for DeShone Kizer, an unforeseen early-March trade in which Green Bay hoped to improve its quarterback depth. While the Packers did not necessarily add a player, they were more active at the 2018 trade deadline as well, dealing Ty Montgomery and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in two separate moves. Each player, on expiring contracts and unlikely to be re-signed,brought back draft pick collateral to Green Bay.Waiver ClaimsThe Packers made several waiver claims during the 2018 season, including the additions of defensive back Natrell Jamerson and defensive lineman Fadol Brown who will each be fighting for roster spots again this summer. But the Packers have continued to be active through the waiver route in 2019.Just in the last month, Green Bay has claimed cornerback Mike Tyson https://www.thepackersfanshop.com/Marwin-Evans-Jersey , wide receiver Jawill Davis, and kicker Sam Ficken. The pursuit of tight end Jordan Leggett this week, though Tampa Bay won his rights, was yet another example of Gutekunst trusting his pro scouts and trying to increase the competition at a position that had already added depth this offseason. Waiver claims should continue to be a cost-effective way for the Packers to pick up role players under Gutekunst.Restricted Free AgencyIt is not often that the Packers have turned to the restricted free agent market for talent. More often, they have had internal players such as Aaron Kampman sign an offer sheet with another team before ultimately matching the offer. While most restricted free agency pursuits from Green Bay would be considered a surprise, Gutekunst has proven he has not ruled those opportunities out.In his first few months on the job, Gutekunst shocked many when he signed Chicago cornerback Kyle Fuller to an offer sheet. Whether it was to force the Bears’ hand on a lucrative long-term deal or an intentional attempt to improve the defense, the focus on Fuller indeed showed that Gutekunst would leave no stone unturned.Unrestricted Free AgencyLast but certainly not least, unrestricted free agency has been a renewed focus under Gutekunst to improve the roster. In his first free agency, the Packers landed Jimmy Graham, Marcedes Lewis, Davon House, Tramon Williams, and Byron Bell in the spring before bringing Bashaud Breeland in September.But those moves were pale in comparison to Gutekunst’s dealing in 2019, moving quickly to sign Preston Smith, Za’Darius Smith, Adrian Amos, and Billy Turner on the second day of free agency. While the extreme level of activity should not be expected every year under Gutekunst, it represented a willingness to shake up the roster and commit money to getting quicker results on the field. After years of futility in free agency under Thompson, Green Bay has raised eyebrows with its number of free agent moves under Gutekunst.<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="cS5khS">Brian Gutekunst vowed to explore all options of acquiring talent when he took the Packers’ GM position and so far he has lived up to that promise to large extents. And with Green Bay trying to get back to the postseason, he may have plenty more moves up his sleeves as the year plays out. The Packers have shown more overt interest in offensive tackles than any other position in the draft by a mile. If they’re poised to take someone early, they’re likely looking for a long-term answer at right tackle." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesAcme Packing Company homepageHorizontal - WhiteAcme Packing Companya Green Bay Packers communityFollow Acme Packing Company online:Follow Acme Packing Company on TwitterFollow Acme Packing Company on FacebookFollow Acme Packing Company on InstagramLog in or sign upLog InSign UpSite searchSearchSearchAcme Packing Company main menuFanpostsFanshotsSectionsPackersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 321 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football Adviceanswer at right tackle. CDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Packers eyeing offensive tackle talent in 2019 NFL Draft to prep for Bryan Bulaga’s departureTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailFormer Alabama left tackle Jonah Williams provides a potential option at either guard or tackle for the Packers. Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesTwo cornerbacks, three wide receivers, and a future first round pick — Brian Gutekunst’s first draft as general manager of the Green Bay Packers provided gobs of sizzle. In 2019, he may be looking for the steak. With ‘pass rushers’ checked off the grocery list, the top of the Packers draft board likely looks very unsexy. That’s not a shot at 300-pound offensive linemen; after all, we don’t condone body shaming at Acme Packing Company. But an offensive tackle at 12 or 30, especially with a pass rusher like Brian Burns or a linebacker like Devin Bush still on the board Jermaine Whitehead Jersey , could send Cheesehead Nation into a tailspin. If you nodded your head while reading that sentence, prepare your body. It’s coming. Green Bay has spent much of the offseason investigating, studying, and talking to top offensive line talent. It looks very much like Gutekunst has his sights set on a blue chip offensive line upgrade with top draft capital.The straightforward case for using a premium asset on an offensive linemen who probably won’t play in 2019 rests on two main tenets: nothing is more important than protecting Aaron Rodgers, and there isn’t an obvious plan at right tackle beyond 2019. This draft class, with a slew of offensive tackles who could also play guard, provides a unique opportunity for the Packers to pick a top player with the idea of grooming him for a long-term role. When Bryan Bulaga stays on the field, he’s one of the best right tackles in football and an elite pass blocker. He’s also not under contract beyond 2019 and isn’t reliable enough staying on the field. There’s a case to be made that 12-14 games of Bulaga is better than 16 games of most offensive tackles in the league—ask the Giants about Ereck Flowers—but if Green Bay is looking for a long-term solution for Bulaga, he may be waiting in this draft. Ted Thompson moved on from Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang a year too early, but then their bodies broke down, culminating in each retiring this offseason. Bulaga’s body isn’t fully broken yet, but the creaks can be heard from Wisconsin Rapids. Drafting someone in this draft to replace him in a year would give that player the opportunity to learn for a year behind one of the best guys at his position, while also acclimatizing to Matt LaFleur’s offense and life in the NFL. Don’t underestimate the value of the latter point. The Year 2 leap exists because the transition for college players at any position remains difficult despite the burgeoning schematic overlap. A full year in the NFL with a full-time offseason provides the best opportunity to take a major jump forward developmentally. Offensive linemen struggle even more in the modern NFL because the CBA reduced the padded practices and total practices, making the adjustment from the college to pro game much more cumbersome. Getting that year in this offense, and in all likelihood having the chance to play a game or two when Bulaga inevitably gets hurt, insulates the Packers against that development curve.The list of players the Packers have interviewed tells the story. Jawaan Taylor, Dalton Risner, Jonah Williams, Andre Dillard, Kaleb McGary, Greg Little, Chuma Edoga, and Tytus Howard all project to go in the top two rounds. Throw in some Day 3 tackles Green Bay has kept an eye on and the message is clear: they want a premium offensive line upgrade. They’ve shown more interest in offensive tackles than any other position, which, on its own, may not be surprising. Ted Thompson never drafted guards; he selected tackles who moved to guard. And he did so with sagacious efficiency. He also took Derek Sherrod and Bryan Bulaga in the first round, players who didn’t fit the typical athletic model they preferred when picking offensive linemen.If Brian Gutekunst is his football father’s son, so to speak Aaron Ripkowski Color Rush Jersey , it’s not out of the question that the Packers would be willing to look outside their tendencies with athletic profile to pick a player they think can anchor their offensive line. That brings together an interesting question: with so many of the above players capable, or perhaps even better suited inside, is it the case they’re definitely looking at a right tackle of the future? Billy Turner’s contract would make much more sense if the’s a short-term answer at right guard and the perceived long-term answer at right tackle. The positional versatility of so many of the tackles in this draft allow Green Bay to pick one and figure out where he fits best later, opening up the opportunities for players who might not otherwise be great options. Alabama’s Jonah Williams, for example, doesn’t fit the athletic profile Green Bay generally prefers, but has drawn comparisons to Bulaga already and looks like he could be a solid right tackle. Some evaluators see a Pro Bowl guard. The ability to play both should appeal to the Packers, who brought Williams in this week for a visit. Risner, McGary, Taylor, and Little could fit the same kind of bill, particularly as the first three played right tackle in college. Players like Dillard and Edoga probably have to play tackle only given where they are in their development curve.Still, the interest in offensive tackle, whether they play inside or outside, portends the end of Bulaga’s tenure in Green Bay. Turner may be the future, or it could be one of these top offensive line prospects. If Gutekunst does go that route, using a high pick on an offensive lineman, he’ll show his cards when it comes to Bulaga’s future. Considering nothing is more important than protecting Aaron Rodgers, using such high draft capital on an offensive lineman, even to go outside their preferred physical norms, serves as smart team building. It may not be the sexy pick at 12, but it is the prudent one. Signing Billy Turner gives the Packers even more flexibility to take a player whose best position may be inside but could still play outside effectively. By May, there’s a very good chance we’ll know who the right side of the Packers offensive line will be for the next few years. We just may not know yet who is playing where. Luckily for Aaron Rodgers, that plan probably no longer involves Jason Spriggs.